Combined underwaist and shoulder-brace.



L. R. PERRY. uoMBINED UNDEBWAIST AND SHOULDER BRAOE.

APPLICATION :FILED FEB.'26, 1914.

THE MORRIS PETERS C0.. FMTI-I-ITHH.y WASHINGTON, D. C.

LENA. RVPERRY, `OE :BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.

COMBINED UNDERWAIST AND SHOULDER-BRACE.

Specification of Lettersk Patent.

Patented Feb. 23, 191.5.

Application led. February 26, 1914. Serial No. 821,190.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LENA R. PERRY, a

'citizen of the United States, residing at Battle Creek, in the county of Calhoun and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Underwaists and Shoulder-Braces; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention is a novel combined suspender waist and shoulder brace, particularly designed for children; and the object of the invention is to provide a suspender waist and bra'ce to which the lower undergarments of the child can be attached and suspended thereby fromthe shoulders of the child, and which will assist the child in standing erect without interfering with the free movements of the body; and which will be comfortable to the wearer.

I will explain the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure l is a rear view of the combined suspender waist and shoulder brace. Fig. 2 is a front view thereof, and Fig. 3 is a side view of Fig. 2.

rIhe combined suspender waist and shoulder brace comprises a main body portion l, which covers the front portion of the body from the neck to the waist, and has shoulder portions 1l that extend from the front over the shoulders of the wearer; and also has side portions lb which extend from the front around and beneath the arms of the wearer, to points adjacent the shoulder blades.

" 'Ihe rear end of each shoulder portion la and the inner end of the adjacent side portion 1b are connected, at rear, by a bracemember 2 preferably made of a strip of wide elastic webbing bent flatwise upon' itself into Vshape, as indicated in Fig. l, the edges of the bent portions forming a practically straight edge at the center of the back portion of the garment, the straight edges of such portion lying between the shoulder blades, and beingk provided with eyelets as shown. The eyelets of the adjacent brace-members after the garment is placed upon the child are connected by a lacing 3, which can be secured by tying.

The lower portion of each brace-member 2 is connected by a strap 4, preferably of elastic webbing, to the adjacent rear end of a belt or band 5 attached to the lower edge of the body portion-l. VThe several parts may all be connected by stitching, as indicated in the drawing.

The band 5 is adapted to extend entirely around the waist of the wearer and its ends may be connected by any suitable fastenings, buttons and vbutton-holes being indicated at 5a in the drawing.

Preferably the edges of the arm-holes are padded, as indicated at 6, so as to prevent them cutting or chafing the arms. The armholes may be reinforced by means of extra pieces of fabric 7, as indicated.

The belt 5 may be provided with buttons as indicated at 5a, 5b, 5c to which the usual lower undergarments of the child may be attached; and it may also be provided with eyelets 5e at the sides to which the garters (not shown) may be attached.

The brace-members 2 practically cover the shoulder blades of the wearer, and by properly adjusting the lacing 8 the waist will help to hold the body in an upright position without being uncomfortable to the wearer. Preferably the front portion of the garment is gathered or fulled beneath the neck band le so as to permit full chest expansion of the wearer at all times.

The eyelets 5e are attached to the belt in such position that when. the garters are attached they will pull in straight lines beneath the arms and assist in helping the wearer to stand erect instead of causing him to stoop or bend forward. The members 2 and .t being elastic will allow the wearer to bend over.

wWhat I claim is:

1. A combined waist and shoulder brace, consisting of a body portion having shoulder and side portions, and a waist band attached thereto, elastic brace-members connecting the adjacent shoulder and side portions at the rear, each brace-member being formed of a strip of elastic webbing bent upon itself at the center and having. its ends attached to the adjacent shoulder and side portions of the garment, and means for connecting said brace-members.

2. A combined waist and shoulder brace, comprising a front portion formed of fabric having shoulder portions adapted to extend over the shoulders, and side portions adapted to extend under the arms, brace-members composed of a strap bent upon itself and having its opposite ends respectively attached to the ends of adjacent shoulder and side portions and provided with-lacing apertures in their bends; and a lacing connecting the adjacent braces; a b'elt 'attached 'to the lower edge of the waist portion, and elastic straps connecting the lower portion lof Ithe grace-members with the adjacent ends of the elt.

8. The herein described childsv garment provided with a front portion formed of fabric having shoulder .portions adapted to extend over the shoulders, and side portions adapted to extend under the arms, a belt attached to the lower edge of the front vportion, brace-members, each composed of a strip -of elastic webbing folded at an angle upon itself and having its ends respectively attached to the end of an adjacent shoulder portion and the rear edge of the adjacent side portion, and provided with lacing apertures in its fold; a lacing connecting the adjacent brace-members, and elastic straps connecting the lower portion of the brace-members with adapted to extend under the arms, a belt attached Ito the lower edge of the front portion, independent brace-members, each having its ends respectively attached to the end of an adjacent shoulder portion and to the rear edge of the afdjacent side portion, and

provided with lacing apertures; a lacing j connecting the adjacent brace-members, and elastic straps connecting the lower portion of the brace-members with the belt, substantially yas described.

l'n testimony that I claim the foregoing ras my own, I aiiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LENA R. PERRY.

Witnesses:

GEORGE A. QUICK, CHARLES E. QUICK.

Copies of this patentl may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, CD. C. 

